This award underscores Sarens’ outstanding performance on the Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) project at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where the company worked alongside Bechtel on complex heavy lifting and transport operations in support of the Artemis program.
Sarens has also participated in other key projects for the U.S. aerospace industry demonstrating its expertise, innovative solutions, and technical knowledge.
In 2025, the U.S. aerospace and defense industry continues to be a crucial economic driver, after generating nearly $995 billion in business activity last year, according to the latest Facts & Figures report from the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). Notably, more than 2.2 million people work directly or indirectly in this sector, with high average salaries (around $115,000 per job), reflecting the high level of specialization and the importance of technological investment and innovation in consolidating this market.
In this context of growth and expansion, Sarens continues to be a reliable partner for the industry. Recently, the company has been recognized as Bechtel’s 2025 Supply Chain Partner of the Year, an award highlighting the mutual commitment to excellence, safety, and collaboration. This award underscores Sarens’ outstanding performance on the Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) project at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where it worked alongside Bechtel on complex heavy lifting and transport operations in support of the Artemis program. According to Steven Sarens, the company’s CEO, “this recognition reflects the dedication and expertise of our teams, as well as the trust built over years of collaboration.”
In this collaboration for the Artemis IV mission, the company worked on the transport, assembly, and stacking of the first module of the Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) tower at the Kennedy Space Center. The assembly and stacking of module 4 marked the start of the tower’s vertical growth, into which six additional modules were incorporated. Sarens leveraged its extensive experience, meticulous planning, and cutting-edge technology, using cranes such as the CC8800 with Boom Booster, the LR1350, and specialized transport systems to ensure safe and precise assembly, enabling NASA to assemble, transport, and launch the SLS Block 1B rocket, a centerpiece of future lunar missions.
This project allowed Sarens and Bechtel to demonstrate their industry expertise, detailed engineering knowledge, and technical know-how to execute the critical maneuvers safely. The work also included the on-site assembly of the base structure, as well as the disassembly and transport of the steel framework manufactured in shipyards in Louisiana and South Carolina, to be moved by barge to the Kennedy Space Center. Sarens managed the safe arrival of the steel, its anti-corrosion treatment, and its transport to the assembly area using SPMTs, finally completing the precise assembly, demonstrating not only Sarens’ technical capability but also its strategic collaboration with Bechtel.
The partnership between Sarens and Bechtel spans over two decades, during which they have jointly participated in other major industrial and infrastructure projects across multiple continents. This shared history, based on aligned values and a pursuit of technical excellence, has established Sarens as a trusted global partner within Bechtel’s network of strategic suppliers. In this way, Sarens reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting Bechtel in the development of innovative projects in the coming years.
Sarens has also participated in other projects for the U.S. aerospace industry, such as the SpinLaunch project in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. In this case, Sarens executed the lifting, tilting, and transport of the central vacuum chamber of the mass accelerator for satellite launch, designing a specialized lifting plan and deploying SMLT towers, high-capacity cable jacks, and 64 SPMT K2400 axle lines mobilized on 32 trucks. Despite weather conditions, Sarens assembled the equipment in four weeks and successfully completed the maneuver, vertically raising the 33-meter-diameter, over 1,000-ton chamber by 16 meters, rotating it 90 degrees, and transporting it 200 meters, demonstrating its expertise, innovative solutions, and technical knowledge.
As Steven Sarens states, “We are proud of our strong track record in the U.S. aerospace sector, collaborating with key players such as Bechtel to advance infrastructure and space exploration projects. Our focus on innovation, specialized technical expertise, and safe execution from the very first operation positions us as a strategic partner, contributing to the growth and consolidation of the U.S. aerospace industry”.
About Sarens
Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 5,000 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors. https://www.sarens.com/